Cumulative mortality was 35% in the ICU, 50% in hospital, 75% at 1 year, and 85% at 5 years.

Factors significantly associated with mortality in the ICU were low levels of albumin (p=0.05) and sodium (p=0.01) at admission.

Patients who died in hospital and in the first year after discharge had a lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) than survivors (p=0.03 and p=0.05, respectively).

The cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) was U. S. $26283 and U. S. $44602 in a « best » (cost/QALY calculated for the life expectancy in Spain) and a « worst case scenario » (cost/QALY calculated for a 68-year life expectancy), respectively. (...)